College-friendly healthy snack options

Eating out of a vending machine really isn’t satisfying. Every now and then I need a Butterfinger just as much as the next person, but it doesn’t take too much effort to make something that tastes so much better. These are all very easy and quick options for making yourself a delicious meal or snack from things that you do, or probably should, have in your fridge.

Savory cucumber and tomato: the potato chip substitute

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice a cucumber very thinly (almost like a chip). Place the slices on a baking sheet covered with a sheet of tin foil over them. Lightly drizzle olive oil or balsamic vinegar over your cucumber slices and put them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until crispy. This is delicious on its own or works amazingly with spinach and artichoke dip or hummus. A lot of people will make this with some parmesan cheese baked on, which is scrumptious. Either way, you can’t go wrong, and you’re eating a tastier and healthier option than anything from a vending machine.

Another option is a tomato pizza. Again, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice up a tomato and lightly drizzle with olive oil and top it with spinach, cheese and anything else you could imagine putting on a pizza, with the tomato acting as the bread and crust.

The substitute for fruit gummies: the easiest smoothie ever

I think that one of the best decisions I made (food-wise) this semester was buying a bag of frozen berries — they make for the best smoothies. I put a handful of berries and some milk in the blender until it’s creamy. It also works well if you add yogurt (any flavor or type) or peanut butter. I have this for breakfast sometimes or a snack later in the day. It’s also super tasty if you use ice cream for a treat. This way, I get all of the berry taste but more of the benefits and less preservatives.

The sweet chocolaty treat

I really enjoy oatmeal with bits of chocolate, brown sugar and peanut butter in it. It adds a warm, oozy element like molten lava cake, but you also get other flavors and more fiber. Another option, one of my personal favorites, is spreading Nutella and peanut butter on a piece of whole wheat toast. Whole Foods, as well as other grocers, carries a peanut butter and chocolate combo spread that works well. They have a few different types, but the dark chocolate is by far my favorite.